crochet – Page 18 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

September 25, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Crochet Coin Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Crochet Coin Scarf in Classic Shades Metallic.

Something for crocheters in a yarn that we love. Classic Shades Metallic (175yds/100g) is the same great base as our Classic Shades, but with a metallic thread wrapped around it for even more bling. Here’s the colorway used in the scarf, 604 Tahitian. It’s a magical shade.

Classic Shades Metallic works up at exactly the same gauge as our regular Classic Shades, so if bling’s not your thing, it’s a snap to swap.

The scarf is worked lengthwise, then the coin fringe is added after the main body is complete. We call for an adjustable ring for the center of the coin. If you haven’t tried an adjustable ring for making center-out circles, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. CraftyDeb has a good photo tutorial, although nothing beats your local yarn shop for showing you how it’s done.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of yarn and relaxation.

Happy crafting!

August 21, 2015August 20, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Fun Fringe Scarf

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Fun Fringe Scarf in Bamboo Pop.

Last week we featured Bamboo Pop knit, so this week we’re showing it in crochet. The scarf features double mesh crochet, a two-row repeat, for the length of the scarf. The finishing really makes the difference, though – the fun flowery fringe is just too adorable.

Bamboo Pop cotton/bamboo blend makes this a great warm weather piece.

We hope you enjoy this fun, kicky crochet piece.

Happy crafting!

July 31, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Exploded Pineapple Halter

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Exploded Pineapple Halter in Good Earth.

We’re calling this an intermediate project, good practice for crocheters who have never tried reading a crochet chart before to do so. One of our resident experts notes, “Crochet stitches can take on such organic form, that a chart really tells the story of the finished piece. Written instruction for crochet can be very clunky, especially in a large repeat pattern such as the exploded pineapple hem.”

Good Earth (204yds/100g) is an excellent choice for this layering piece. The cotton/linen blend is quite breathable, so even over another top it won’t leave you sweltering.

The piece is worked seamlessly. Crochet the hem first, then pick up for the body and continue upward. It’s easy to customize the length just by adding or subtracting a few rows of the v-stitch mesh.

I love the ribbon at the neck – that’s another bit that would be very easy to alter to your own taste.

We hope you enjoy this summertime project. Happy crocheting!

July 28, 2015

Knitspiration – Peter Rabbit

In honor of Beatrix Potter’s birthday, how about a little knitspiration?

Helen Beatrix Potter was born 149 years ago today. She had great success as a scientific illustrator and conservationist, but is best known today for her children’s books. Everyone has a favorite. Mine is Peter Rabbit. It’s such a nice mix of home and hearth – Peter’s mother even knits! – and mischief, as Peter gets himself into one fix after another.

Although I have enjoyed her work as both a child and a parent, I also enjoy her artistic talents. Her use of color is inspirational. From soft leafy-greens…

Whisper Lace Mitts — Little Victory Mitts in Whisper Lace

To the bright colors of the farm.

From fresh pastels of Spring…

Horseshoes and Twists Too Vest in Bamboo Pop

To warmer tones of a cozy home.

Fireplace Cardigan shoulder blog — Fireplace Cardigan in Amphora

Beatrix said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I think we all know the same is true each time we pick up a ball of yarn. We hope all your crafting adventures are as enthralling as those Beatrix Potter wrote about.

July 17, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Knit and Crochet Market Bags

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Knit and Crochet Market Bags in Good Earth Adorn.

Good Earth Adorn Red Market Bag blog Something for all of our needlecrafting friends today! We chose Good Earth Adorn (204yds/100g) because the cotton/linen blend holds up well and isn’t going to felt with repeated rubbing as you carry it around. Each pattern takes just two hanks.

First up, the knitted bag, in 302 Adobe. It’s a simple four-row repeat for the eyelet mesh, then basic knitting with some k2tog shaping for the edges and handle.

The crochet bag in color 303 Lettuce uses a very basic double crochet mesh. You’ll make both sides, sew them together, then add the straps.

There’s actually a little sneak peek hiding in the green bag photographed – two new colors of Good Earth Adorn on the far right, never before seen, that we’ll be adding to the line next season. We’re very excited at all the new samples coming in and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy crafting!

July 10, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Ladders Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Ladders Tank in Flax.

Two crochet Free Pattern Fridays in a row? Well, we’re cheating just a little bit with this one – the edging at the neck, arm, and hem are knit. Crocheting purists are of course free to work their magic with an alternate trim. Those of us (like me) who are still polishing their crochet skills may stick with the edging as written. Someday I’ll be able to wing it, though!

The top is made in Flax (50g/137yds) which, as the name implies, is 100% linen. The ladder pattern combined with the flax fiber makes this a perfect tank for summer. Things I love about this piece: the Flax (which I’ll take any excuse to work with), the fact that it’s sized from Small to 3X, and the shaping, which of course you can customize to your own tastes.

We hope you’re having a great summer, and that you’re beating the heat. As for me, I’m going to make some fruit and yogurt ice pops and then cast on for a cool project.

Happy crafting!

June 26, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Firework Blankie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Firework Blankie crocheted in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors.

The 4th of July is almost upon us, making this a particularly appropriate free pattern. The Firework Blankie is crocheted in Little Bird Multi with rows of contrasting solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) every few rows for a bigger burst of color. And check out those adorable pom-poms on the points – like an extra little kapow!

We put together another couple of combinations of colors that could work, depending on whether you wanted to go bold or… slightly less bold.

Two different directions with the same multi colorway (201 Stroll), The one on the left is paired with 106 Go-Go Coral – the picture does not do justice to how almost neon-bright it is. The one on the right is paired with 111 Chinos, to tone it down a little but still be a contrast. Normally I’m in favor of subtlety, but with the Firework Blankie, I might go with the one on the left. This blanket says “playtime.”

Two more combos, both appealing to me since I favor cool tones. On the left is 204 Summer Story paired with 105 Wee Violet. I can easily see that thrown over a chair in a kid’s room. At right, 203 Grass Stain paired with 110 New Leaf. I’m imagining sitting out on the lawn with that green baby blanket spread out, toddler in a sunhat happily playing. No worries about the blanket on the grass – Little Bird is machine washable!

With gray as an increasingly popular color for baby projects, we also think 112 Ghostie Gray would be a good combination with pretty much any of the multis.

…You know, I thought I could make it through the whole post without saying it, but I just can’t.

Happy crocheting!

June 5, 2015July 13, 2021

Free Pattern Friday – Refracted Lace Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday… again!

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This afternoon, the Refracted Lace Shawl in Whisper Lace.

We once had a popular pattern called the Refracted Light Shawl in a discontinued yarn called Swiss Mohair. Alas, when Swiss Mohair went away, so did the pattern. But it was one of those patterns that kept being passed around from crocheter to crocheter, in a “have you seen this? It sounds like just what you’re looking for” kind of way.

$RefractedLaceShawl_Front_WhisperLace_blog$ Well, you can’t keep a good pattern down, so here it is, back again. This time, it’s in Whisper Lace (440yds/50g), our wool/silk blend from the Fibra Natura line.

Front and back post crochet create an open, airy fabric that can fan out across your back or twist artfully at the shoulder or front.

We hope you enjoy this classic, available once more for you to enjoy.

Happy crafting!

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May 8, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Guadalupe Stole

It’s Free Pattern Friday!Today, the Guadalupe Stole in Classic Shades Metallic.

I love this loose and airy crochet shawl. It’s long and luxurious, and the Classic Shades Metallic gives it just the right amount of sparkle in the light. Of course, if you’re not a glam kind of person, Classic Shades works up to exactly the same gauge, so you can still get the great color shifts without the bling.

This stole is comprised of 18 Motifs that are joined as you go on round 3. Amy used almost all of four balls of Classic Shades Metallic for this, so you may want to grab another ball just for safety.

If I were pairing this shawl up with an outfit, I think I might try to pull out the lavender as an accent color. Actress Minka Kelly (photo from denimology) has a good base outfit here that many of us could also pull off. Top it with this shawl, maybe pick up another color with some cute earrings, and you’re ready to turn heads.

Happy crocheting!

April 10, 2015

Free Pattern Friday – Kauai Cardigan

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, the Kauai Cardigan in Alana.

Summertime… and the livin’ is easy. This cardi makes me feel like I should be strolling on the boardwalk in my sandals with a frosty beverage in my hands. Maybe I could wear a giant Yashi Sunblock hat with it.

It’s made in Alana (164yds/100g) , a tropically colorful viscose blend. It’s a great choice for bright color with a sheen. Speaking from personal experience, I haven’t noticed pooling or flashing – just bright colors and happy hues.

And since we’re talking about free patterns, here’s one that flew under the radar!

The Butterfly Scarf is also in Alana. We released this fun broomstick lace design a couple of weeks ago, but never actually made it part of a Free Pattern Friday. Consider it a bonus wish for warm, leisurely days.

Happy crafting!